Alastair
It was three in the morning, two nights after Elder Holden’s visit as well as my conversation with Harlyn and her idea of being politically correct. It had also been two nights since I found that John Minken was roaming around outside of my home…near Valene.
My plan was to immediately confront him with this, but then I came to realize that I physically did not have the time to do it. Keeping Shadow Veil and Virginia clear as a whole was my first priority. And it seemed that the Moon mother’s luck had shown upon the Shadow Veil pack as there hadn’t been an attack in the last forty-eight hours.
I wasted no time in setting up a meeting with my Delta to see not only where his loyalties lie but his intent with Valene.
“We both know wh
ValeneA full week had come and gone since the evening that the council member made his stop by Master Wade’s home.Harlyn had spoken to me since, but our conversations were hardly long enough to glance at before she’d go on about her business. It was evident that her acknowledgment of me at this point was something more along the lines of obligation than anything else.I should have been alright with this, but I wasn’t. I never did particularly find favor in discord and confusion, especially where my family was concerned.Although I do not know from where it stemmed, Harlyn seemed to have an ought against me of late. She didn’t say as much, but I could sense it, and I just didn’t know why. It was because of this that I had begun walking
ValeneEarly Sunday morning and the conversation that I’d had with Harlyn the night before still weighed heavily on my mind.I couldn’t stop thinking about Delta Minken’s vassal, Harold, and whether he was alright. Sure, Harlyn had said that he was fine, but her version of fine was nothing compared to mine.I was so lost in my own thoughts and feelings that I found it hard to get ahead of it all. It was then that I found myself staring blankly into my mirror, sitting half limp in my chair as the dread of being…lost suddenly took over.With such conflicted feelings plaguing me, I couldn’t help the harsh chuckle that escaped my lips. Staring at the mirror, I simply looked at my reflection and sighed.
Valene:Everyone began to arrive in short order, looking exquisite, their vassals close behind displayed in their required attire of black tops and matching bottoms. We weren’t necessarily allowed to get too dressy though some vassals managed to sneak in a piece of jewelry or two. We weren’t worthy of inhuman’s attention, so most times we did not garner it, but sometimes…rare times, a vassal would catch the eye of one, and if the price was right…well, things could be arranged though not openly; this was a taboo practice after all. At least, that was the rumor. It was mainly those who pledged their lives to the inhumans that most tried to attract them.I, along with the beta, Delta, and the Omega’s head vassals, was required to wear colors with our black to specify our Keeper’s position in the pack. It was unfortunate th
Valene: Mistress Harlyn suggested that we go outside on the landing. There was hardly anyone outside if anyone at all. Everyone was entirely too excited about the infamous lycan Alpha’s presence. I knew when Harlyn wanted to isolate us that, she wanted to speak candidly. Whatever the reason behind the tension between her and Master Wade, I was sure I was about to be privy to it. She walked ahead of me, inhaling the air, I reluctantly proceeded to follow. “Isn’t the night air exhilarating?” Harlyn expressed. “It is, Mistress,” I replied with a small smile. Harlyn whirled around and leaned against the balcony. “You can drop the act, Vali. No one’s around to catch you slipping.” I didn’t respond to her because I didn’t know how to. Not looking directly her way, I saw from my peripheral that she smirked. “Fine, let’s ease into this then. I brought you something.” She said and handed me a small side plate full of my favorite sweets. I thought they were meant for her when she picked the
When I turned around, I saw that Penny’s aunt was staring daggers at me. She quickly followed after her niece. “Don’t worry, Vali,” Harlyn said without a smile. “I’ll save you from the lashing deserving of a misbehaving vassal.” She walked past me. “I think more of you than that.” “Don’t bother,” I retorted, forcing her to stop in her tracks. “It’s clear that you think very little of me, Mistress,” I said. “I’ll take my lashing as a misbehaving vassal should.” Shortly after this, Master Wade came rushing outside along with a crowd of others. It was no surprise that Penny exaggerated what she’d seen judging by the look on the faces of those staring. “She blatantly stared Harlyn in the eye…she was boldly speaking with complete condescension.” “Don’t be so overdramatic, Penny.” Harlyn hissed. “It was a disagreement, plain and simple.” “Disagreement?” Penny’s aunt interjected. “No vassal should have an opinion contrary to their Keeper-no matter how plain or simple it may be. Alpha?”
Alastair:The party was still in full swing, and I was in the back, pacing back in forth in an empty room, trying to figure out what went wrong. Toran and John insisted that I try to restrain myself in front of the guests. Toran knew what I was about to do before Valene interfered to save face. Even after, I was going to cut down her insistence on punishment. Both John and Toran distracted me with chastisement, needlessly reminding me to be mindful of what I would say next-that it may compromise Shadow Veil as a whole. I needed no reminding! I knew exactly what I would be risking, and to me…it was worth it. I’d welcome one to challenge my Alpha title.John, however, did not feel the same. Slaughter was behind whatever decision that I had made, and although I question John at his worst, my Delta reassured me of the same. Still, John also made the point of stating how complicated things would become had I interfered in the way that I chose. “In the path that you are about to take, po
Agnes Craig was the nosiest wolf I’d ever met in my life. Sure, she was an attractive woman, but she was lacking in every other aspect that was important for my taste. This did not hinder her from finding me whenever she could to let me know that she was available, however.“Are you going to be the one to carry out her punishment?”I was tired of talking about this and certainly would not continue the conversation with Agnes Craig, of all people. “She’ll be dealt with accordingly. Excuse me.”“Ah, of course!” She said in a shrilled voice. I walked away, and immediately, she grabbed my arm. I tried to reel in my aggravation, but it was getting harder and harder. “Um, just…to let you know, Alpha. If ever you want company…you know…to talk
I kissed the top of her head, and we just sat there for a few minutes more in silence; the only sound echoing was her silent chewing. After a few moments more passed, I broke the silence. “What were you two talking about, Valene?” Her chewing paused, and so did she. Both her hands were holding a chocolate cake split in half. “She seems to think that…that I have been trying to convince you to turn me into one of you.” She looked up at me. “Why would she think that?” She asked this question as if she had already known. I turned my head, staring blankly at the wall as frustration, yet again, began to ignite in me. “Well, since Harlyn brought it up, now is the perfect time to discuss it, Alastair.” Aziz was right, but that didn’t mean that I wanted to do it. It was hard, and to be honest, I did not want to have a conversation with her. “Then I will.” Before I could rebuttal, Aziz pushed forward. And immediately faced Valene. She backed away subtly, surprised at the change in my ey
VALE:The first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of orange and pink as Valene and Harlyn stood on the outskirts of Shadow Veil, their backs turned to the familiar pack. The weight of exile hung heavy in the air, a bittersweet reminder of the decisions they had made.“This is a big step to make, Vale,” said Tobias as we stood at the city line of Shadow Veil. “It is,” I said. I couldn’t bloody well deny his truth. Harlyn and I’s relationship was still on the mend. There were definitely some kinks that needed to be worked out, but I felt an obligation to her. Not only to her but to Shadow Veil as well. I refused to make it easier for Dronnigan to find me. “But you remember what my mother said, Tobi. Even if Harly wasn’t leaving, I’m not sure that I’d have a choice. Not until I find a way to get rid of him for good.” I said. “Yeah, that’s true. I’ll be shoving off soon too.”“Your dad can’t be happy about that.” Tobias glanced back at the beta and his son. “Not really, but both he
VALE:“Harlyn Caris Wade. You almost took the life of your best friend. Your actions of attempted murder have cast an even bigger shadow on the pack. It’s not just because of what you did, Harlyn but who you are to the people surrounding you.”Harlyn’s gaze fell to the ground. There was visible shame in her eyes as these words were said. She knew that all of it was true, and so she kept silent.“You were acting in a rash state of anger and a thirst for revenge, and because of this, you’ve committed crimes of a reprehensible nature.” She looked up at him, and took a deep breath, but still, she did not say a word. It was clear that she was anxious though.“What do you have to say for yourself?” Silence enveloped the great hall, everyone silently and apprehensively waiting for her to speak. Until she finally did. “I…I’ve never been a really good friend…a good master…and especially a good sister. Her eyes wandered the room, but not for long as she finally found the gaze that she was
Alastair:The tension was palpable as the pack and clan leaders stood in the great hall for the judgment that would have to be carried out.As I sat in the Alpha’s chair, looking over the crowd, I could see that every face was etched with tension and sorrow. I couldn’t blame them; this was a big night, and one that I was not looking forward to.My stomach turned constant flips, a clear reaction to my anxiety as this day approached. I was dreading every second up until this very moment, and I could sense that I was not the only one.Agnes and Penny stood there, hands and feet bound as they waited for the room to gather its awaiting crowd for my judgment. They stood before me, Toran on my right and John…struggling internally, but nevertheless on my left. Both Agnes and Penny’s heads were bowed before me as they waited for me to proceed with the grave charges pinned against them. When the sound of the meeting hall’s large double doors could be heard closing, I knew that it was time to
The room was dimly lit. It was clear that she was in a cell of some sort. “Hello, my love.” Her voice was calm and soothing, and yet filled with sorrow. Though she wasn’t facing me in real time, I could sense the shame in her demeanor as she could not even look into Tobias’s eyes while relaying her message.“You know that before you were born…your father and I had an affair.” she chuckled bitterly. “Of course…I didn’t know that he was married or mated or whatever the hell they call it!” She snapped and then took a deep breath to seemingly calm down. “But that is neither here nor there. I did end it, baby, I truly did…once I found out that-what…kind of situation I was placed in. That…that wasn’t good enough for her though…so…that’s basically how my life ended that night.”There was so much pain in her voice as she said this. I couldn’t imagine how much it pained her to relive that evening. But she had to. She needed to confess her truth.“When I was brought back…all of my emotions we
VALEAfter Damian plied me with a few more drinks, I stumbled home to the inn and got me a room to stay at. Since everything that went on with Harlyn, I had been saying with dad, knowing that while he wouldn’t express it aloud, he needed the support. On this night, however, and maybe even the days to come, I’d probably be staying put here. There was far too much on my mind to be placed in the same vicinity of someone who was going through as much as I was.I knew that dad was hurting, and I also knew that if I saw that, if I had to witness it, I’d try and do everything within my power to heal him of that hurt instead of focusing on not going insane due to my own. I stumbled into the bathroom, and started the shower. Then I sat there on the side of the tub, leaned my head against the cold ceramic. It felt good against my flushed drunken skin.Suddenly, I didn’t think that I had the energy to take a shower. Maybe I should just stay here and close my eyes.“I see you have had an…intoxi
VALE:There was a look on his face, one that spoke so many volumes to me and still I could not accept it. I recalled watching as Ares pulled away from Tobias’s thoughts and memories. He was slow facing me, very reluctant.“Is it true?” I had asked him. Somehow, some part of me knew that answer but I needed Ares to confirm.It wasn’t like I thought the worst of Tobias-even in spite of his new lifestyle; not like he necessarily chose the lifestyle that was thrust upon him. I could never say that Tobias was a dishonest person. That’s why…I already knew. Still, there was something about my connection with Ares that would solidify this for me. “Tell me, Ares!” I approached him, desperate for him to answer. “Is it?”When he nodded sullenly, I backed away from him, and sorrow immediately enveloped me. My heart ached.“So…it was a lie?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing even though I knew that it was true. My dad tried to approach me. I could tell that he was as distraught as I was abo
Vale“That…no…no, that’s…impossible.”Tobias shook his head. “No, Vale. It’s not.”I couldn’t absorb what he was saying to me. It was surreal. “Who on earth would the goddess deem worthy enough to procreate with?”“The old man was never clear on that,” said Tobias. “But he’s certain that you are. Apparently he has proof of it.” “And you didn’t think to bring it here?”Dad clearly was as flustered as I was, finding out this incredulous bit of news. Tobias looked at the alpha with a sarcastic expression. “All due respect, alpha…you’ve not met my father if you think that it would be so easy to get away, let alone gather information on him-”“Wait, what?!” Talon exclaimed. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who caught that. I just…I wasn’t sure that I heard correctly. Tobias paused, his eyes falling to the floor with clear indignation. He wasn’t happy about this bit of news either, but it was clear that there was merit to it. “What did you say?” With a resigned exhale, Tobias nodded.
Vale:I stood there, bewildered as our eyes met. Part of me, a less…conflicted part of me was elated to see him standing there. With my father…his father, and his brother.Tobias.I cared about Tobias. Far more than I ever realized. It took him dying and then coming back to see that. But regardless, of how I came to this realization, those feelings were there. And that would never change. I was so glad to seem him alive and relatively well considering the circumstances surrounding…well…us and our current lifestyles.Despite that less conflicted side of me, there was bigger part of me…a blaringly alarmed and untrusting, and even angry…part of me that could only think about one thing; where was my mother?The fact that she was nowhere to be found-even now. It didn’t make sense maybe, but…in my potentially irrational mind, I couldn’t think of a reality where Tobias would even be here and mum not. I just couldn’t shake that feeling….that gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach, as I wat
VALEThe meeting hall wasn’t too far away from where I was, so I didn’t use a quick means of transportation. “Vale,” I heard someone call after me. When I turned around, Talon was on approach. “Good evening, Talon,” I greeted.I guess any other sister would have given the Beta a cold shoulder because of what he had done to Harlyn.To be honest, as far as I was concerned, Harlyn got what Harlyn deserved. She never treated the guy with the proper respect.Still, I could tell that he was nervous about approaching me. Oh, Talon. I am on your side on this one.“How are you, this evening?” he asked me.“I’m…fine,” I shrugged. “I guess.”“Fine?” His steps slowed when he got closer. “Yeah, just fine. Could be better. Then again, I could be worse.” “Ah,” he shiftily looked around before his eyes landed on me again. He had question that he wanted to ask and I already knew who the question was concerning.“Just…ask the question, Talon,” I rolled my eyes.He took a deep breath, and then said,